Reference Data

Nanos is a zinc-finger containing, RNA-binding protein that has been implicated in germ cell development in both invertebrates and vertebrates. In drosophila, Nanos represses apoptosis during development to ensure proper germ-line development. Unlike Nanos1 whose expression in mice is dispensable, the Nanos2 and Nanos3 proteins are required for germ cell development. Nanos2-null primordial germ cells (PGCs) die only in the male gonads and show no defects in females, while Nanos3-null PGCs are lost during the migration stage regardless of sex. Nanos2 and Nanos3 have distinct expression patterns during embryo development, suggesting that these two proteins do not have redundant functions. However, expression of Nanos2 can at least partially replace Nanos3 function in a Nanos3-null background. Nanos3 expression can not rescue Nanos2-null defects. This Nanos2 antibody will not cross-react with either Nanos 1 or Nanos3.